Neat things come along in Ham Radio at seemingly a rapid rate and perhaps orders of magnitude faster than with other avocations and hobbies. We tell ourselves we are on the cutting edge of mankind and must keep up by having some of these "things". We rush to hamfests to be part of this history, and/or we thumb through CQ, QST and The DX Magazine to see what's new "before" we read the articles! Many of these "just have to have things" are temporary….that's okay because we are in a testing mode furthering science and technology….perhaps solving world hunger.

WE ALL KNOW our logs are our life, and they are anything but temporary. Often they are the final things burned or shredded before the big switch is thrown, and one becomes a silent key.

Enter computers. Yes, like it or not, most of us do have computers in the realm of our hobby, and they are the wrong color too. They are not the center of our lives as hams but a large part…a tool, pretty picture on the screen, contest logging, etc. That's okay--they offer many opportunities for doing good for mankind. Logging programs are a natural with computers and can make our operating more fun, albeit often frustrating. It takes some effort, which we have learned how to cope with as hams.

Logging programs may not be for everyone. As said, our logs are our life story in many cases and to trust them to a "box" is revolutionary. Once we have dealt with that decision we can move on. This is not always an easy decision, but one which can be reversed if it is not working out. Safety of our logs is a major part of that decision process. DELETE and CRASH…two words associated with computers and those who operate them. Relax on this one as it's not all doom and gloom since the save features are very good in most programs nowadays.

Logging on the computer is for many an excellent way to exercise the OLE gray matter while feeling a sense of "keeping up" and being part of the cutting edge. My wife Rosie, KA4S, says it keeps the mind from turning to mush! Hey, it just may help justify that new monitor to "see" the print better, hi.

DX4WIN is but one of many fine programs on the market, not just for logging but other areas associated with our logs. So called logging programs are similar to the Ford-Chevrolet or Kenwood-Yaesu-Icom-Ten Tec syndrome. One must see what fits their requirements (or fancy), and it's not the same for everyone. We hams love to be involved in this never ending chase for the best--don't we?

I've tried several programs…not all, and I've decided on DX4WIN (for now!) I was rocking along, happy with a program which seemed to fit my needs, until I read a piece by John, ON4UN. John is someone whom I respect for his opinions, perhaps not always agreeing but always respecting. He did an excellent critique on one of the first versions of DX4WIN….since then, much improved. I've found John was correct, and this has been "authenticated" by two others I respect, N4VV and W4TO.

Now let's talk about DX4WIN. I'll be the first to admit I don't use all the various facets of this very powerful and involved program. I don't use the squelch or all the memories on my transceiver either….sound familiar? Believe me, this will be the case for whichever program you may choose.

DX4WIN is foremost a "complete" logging program with many ways to present logs designed by YOU. Entering your information is very easy, either real time, post QSO or from the cluster. I'm extremely impressed with the many ways to design the log for recall, review, printing (if required) and modification, i.e. QSL data. So take this to the bank--I don't see how the logging part could be improved. You can choose the time between the saving of your log to the "normal" place it's stored. It's easy to save your entire log to another place also. This is important to me, and occasionally I save my logs to a floppy and keep it at another location, hi.

DX4WIN is an outstanding way to keep track of awards….several. The presentation of the award data can also be tailored to your likes and needs, printed or whatever. Updating of the country files to add a new country etc. is okay, once learned. This is one area where I think the program needs more work, others may not agree.

Let me digress on awards relative to upgrades for DX4WIN. I am still a bit uneasy with this process since I did have problems setting up my award numbers/data (never the log) on two upgrades. This is also a learned process which others have not had. Once spooked, always spooked! I save and save and save…then upgrade, hi. Service and support are at the top of my list and DX4WIN has good support. They are "alive" and willing to communicate. This is a must for me to do business with anyone, period. This changes, I change….and tell all who will listen.

Some other facets of DX4WIN I enjoy are windows for the digital modes with great set-ups for memories, cluster window also with good set-up (right click). We used an RF node for the cluster for several years, but now we use the internet. The program does both equally well with the same window as before. There is a separate window showing the put-outs you can color code for needs, i.e. mode, band, overall, etc. Double clicking on the put-out in this window sends the data to the log and ready for working and the enter key. If the HF rig is connected to the computer, DX4WIN will nicely control it with the "clicked" data. Some late model rotators can also be controlled when connected by the program. The audio alert is nice for a needed put-out. This is operator selected. A simple contesting duping capability for the casual contester is excellent but not to be confused with CT, TR, etc.

We are familiar with how important configuration information is. Some set the defaults in our programs, and such is the case for DX4WIN. With logging programs, the data is stored when the program is loaded and changed over time, as required. This data can become involved and time consuming. DX4WIN makes this easy when upgrading or changing computers.

Another feature I use is the sunset/rise window which shows the selected country in the entry log and yours as well if your longitude/latitude is in the configuration data. This doesn't take the place of Geo-Clock but is nice to have. If the "same call" window is open on the screen, you can tell if this station has been worked along with other QSO data once the call is typed into the call block. Also available is the link to a callbook CD. There are many other features.

You may download DX4WIN for a review, which is a neat way to see first hand how it would fit into your shack. The book of instructions and help files within the program are excellent. Repeating….the support is outstanding. The price is comparable to other programs, upgrades are reasonable and, in the overall scheme of things, a fraction of the cost of most of our toys! Enjoy.

DX4WIN by Rapidan Data Systems, 3601 Plank Road, Suite 389, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. Phone: 540-785-2669, Fax: 540-786-0658, or E-mail: NJ4F@dx4win.com. Their internet web page is: http://www.dx4win.com. Cost under $100.00.

Lynn Lamb, W4NL, lives in Maryville, TN with Rosie, KA4S, his bride of over 42 years. Both are retired civilians for the Navy, Washington DC….Lynn as a weapons director and Rosie as an executive secretary. Rosie was formally WA3NGS, K6DXG and 8P9DK.

Lynn was first licensed in 1954 as Wn4HZI holding calls: W3BWZ, W4HZI, K6AAX, K7UMZ, DL5FP and 8P9GN.

Both are members of the Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC), and Lynn has served as President of the National Capitol DX Association and the East TN DX Association. He served on the ARRL DX Advisory Committee for four years and was a volunteer in the QSL bureau for several years. He is an A1 Op member, DXCC honor roll, 9 BDXCC and just finished 8 BWAZ.

His interest centers around dxing and contesting….95% CW with a passion for antennas. Other interests outside radio are volunteer work and politics where he serves on Tennessee's State Executive Committee for his party.